Flying with a Baby or Toddler in India: Rules and Tips
By Priya Nair (Priya Nair covers India's beach destinations — Andaman, Lakshadweep, Goa, Kerala — with a focus on the practical bits: which gateway airport, which ferry connects to which island, the permits, the scuba seasons, the budget math.) · Published · 10 min read
Flying with a baby in India means navigating lap-infant fares, bassinet wait-lists and baggage allowances that vary by airline. Here's what the rules actually say — and what they don't tell you.
TL;DR — the quick answer
In India, an infant is defined as a child under 2 years old. Infants travel as lap passengers (no separate seat) and pay roughly 10% of the adult base fare on domestic flights. Once your child turns 2, they need their own seat and pay a child fare (typically 75% of adult on domestic). You can request a bassinet on most full-service airlines, but availability is limited — call the airline directly within 24 hours of booking.
The rules differ between domestic (DGCA-governed) and international sectors, and between full-service (Air India, Vistara legacy) and budget carriers (IndiGo, Akasa, Air India Express). Read on before you assume your usual airline works the same way with a baby on board.
What age counts as an 'infant' vs a 'child'?
DGCA rules — and all Indian airlines — use the same threshold: under 2 years on the date of travel = infant; 2 to 11 years = child. This sounds simple until the birthday falls mid-trip. I learned this the slightly stressful way when my daughter was turning 2 during a Kerala holiday — the return flight had her already aged out of the infant fare, so I had to book a separate seat for the way back even though she'd been a lap infant on the way there. The date of each flight is what matters, not the outbound date.
For international flights on Air India or Emirates, the same under-2 rule applies. On IndiGo's international routes (e.g. DEL–DXB), they follow IATA infant rules: one infant per adult, lap-only, under 2 on the travel date.
How much does an infant ticket cost on Indian airlines?
On domestic IndiGo and Akasa flights, the infant fare is typically around 10% of the adult base fare — so if your ticket cost ₹3,500, expect to pay roughly ₹300–₹500 for the infant. On Air India domestic, it's also approximately 10% of adult fare plus taxes. Budget airlines do not give the infant a baggage allowance — whatever extra bags you're carrying for the baby come out of your own allowance.
On international routes, infant fares are usually 10% of the adult fare on Air India and the Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways, IndiGo international). The absolute rupee amount varies widely — on a BOM–LHR Air India ticket that cost ₹55,000, the infant fee was around ₹5,500 plus airport taxes. Always check at the time of booking; these percentages are standard but the actual taxes add up.
One thing nobody tells you: the infant ticket is usually not available online on some OTAs. You may need to call the airline directly or go to their own website to add the infant. On Air India's website you can add an infant during booking. On IndiGo's website, there's a dropdown during passenger details. If you're using a third-party site and can't add the infant, call the airline before the flight — don't just show up at the airport with an undocumented infant; it creates chaos at check-in.
Bassinets: how to actually get one
Bassinets (also called sky cots or infant cots) are only on full-service airlines — Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. IndiGo, Akasa and Air India Express do not have bassinets. On Air India, bassinets are fitted to the bulkhead row (row 11 on some A320s, varies by aircraft). The bassinet has a weight limit — usually up to 11 kg and up to 6 months old, because the cot is shallow. A chunky 8-month-old may not fit comfortably.
To get a bassinet seat: call Air India reservations within a few hours of booking and ask them to add a bassinet request. It is not guaranteed — it's a 'request', not a 'booking'. If you're lucky, they'll confirm. If not, you're on a wait-list and they assign it at check-in on a first-come basis. My best success rate has been checking in online exactly 24 hours before departure and calling once more to confirm the bassinet row.
Bulkhead rows have more legroom, which matters when you're managing a baby bag, a folded pram umbrella and a squirming child. Even without the bassinet, bulkhead is worth requesting.
What about prams and car seats?
You can take a pram or stroller to the aircraft door on most Indian airports. Check it at the gate, and it comes back at the jet bridge on arrival — not the baggage belt. This works smoothly at larger airports like DEL, BOM, MAA. At smaller airports (smaller terminals at CCJ, JAI, UDR), the process is less organised; gate staff will tell you where to collect it.
Prams are not counted in your hand baggage allowance on Air India. On IndiGo, a collapsible stroller may be gate-checked for free. Always confirm with the airline because policies change, and agents at check-in sometimes don't know the official policy.
Car seats can be checked as regular baggage (usually free of charge as an infant-associated item on Air India international). Most parents gate-check them instead. Flying with a car seat in the cabin on an Indian domestic flight is technically possible if you buy the child a seat, but it's rarely done and the airline needs advance notice.
What to carry — the practical checklist
- Documents: Birth certificate is mandatory for infants on domestic flights in India. On international flights you also need the passport and any visa. Keep originals, not just phone photos.
- Food and liquids: CISF security allows baby formula, breast milk and baby food through the security checkpoint in quantities exceeding the standard 100ml liquid rule. You may need to show it's for the infant. Don't stress — security staff at Indian airports are generally understanding about this.
- Timing your feed: Sucking during takeoff and landing helps babies equalise ear pressure. A feed or a pacifier at the right moment saves everyone in the cabin a great deal of trouble.
- Change of clothes: At least two sets in your cabin bag. Turbulence during a nappy change is a thing. I keep one outfit in a zip-lock bag so the clean set stays dry even if the bag gets rummaged through.
- Noise-cancelling protection: Infant ear defenders (not earphones) are worth carrying for longer flights. The engine noise at cruise altitude is around 80 dB.
Booking and check-in logistics
Book as early as possible — not just for fare reasons but because the bulkhead seats (bassinet rows) go fast. When you check in online, select the aisle seat if you can; getting up for nappy changes and comfort pacing is much easier without climbing over strangers.
At the airport, almost every Indian airport has a priority lane for passengers travelling with infants. Use it. Security with a stroller, a diaper bag and a baby takes three times longer than normal — give yourself at least an extra 30 minutes over what you'd normally allow.
Air India has a stated policy of priority boarding for families with young children. IndiGo technically offers it too, but execution varies by ground staff and airport. If they don't announce it, just walk to the front and ask.
Use FlightGPT to search and compare domestic and international fares — it searches across airlines so you can pick the one with the best infant policy for your route. Fares and policies change — verify directly with the airline before you book.
Flying internationally from India with a baby
For Gulf routes (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha), Emirates and Qatar Airways are genuinely well-equipped for families — they have bassinets on most aircraft, and their cabin crew are experienced with infants. The direct flight from BOM or DEL to DXB is under 4 hours, which is very manageable. On longer sectors (to UK or Australia), consider flying Air India direct rather than connecting through a busy hub; fewer transitions with an infant is always better.
One visa note: if you're going to a country that requires a visa for the infant, the infant needs their own passport. Indian minors need separate passports — they haven't been added to a parent's passport since 2015. Apply well in advance; Passport Seva Kendra appointments can be booked online and infant appointments typically go smoothly if you have the birth certificate, both parents' Aadhaar, and address proof.
Frequently asked questions
Can an infant travel without a ticket on Indian domestic flights?
No. You must book an infant fare even for a lap infant. The infant gets no separate seat but does need a ticket. Typically around 10% of the adult base fare on IndiGo and Air India domestic routes. Carry the birth certificate as proof of age.
Is there a minimum age for a baby to fly in India?
Most Indian airlines require the infant to be at least 7 days old for domestic travel and at least 14 days old for international travel. Some airlines set the minimum at 2 weeks for all routes. Check your specific airline's policy before booking.
Do bassinets have a weight or age limit?
Yes. Most airline bassinets (on Air India, Emirates, Qatar) have a weight limit of around 11 kg and are generally suitable for infants up to 6–9 months. Heavier or older infants may not fit safely. The bassinet is a request, not a guaranteed booking.
Can I bring breast milk or baby formula through security at Indian airports?
Yes. CISF security rules allow breast milk, formula and baby food in quantities beyond the standard 100ml liquid rule when travelling with an infant. You may need to declare it at the security checkpoint. Carry the infant's ticket as evidence.
Do I need a passport for my infant on domestic Indian flights?
No. For domestic flights, a birth certificate is the standard document for an infant. For international flights, the infant needs their own Indian passport (children are no longer added to parent passports as of 2015).